Key-holder.



G. W. MILLER.

KEY HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.17, 1912.

1 Q53 626 r Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

WWW

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. MILLER, OF MERIDEN. CONNECTICUT.

KEY-HOLDER.

Application filed September 17. 1912.

. panying drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear. and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this application, and represent, in-- Figure 1 a plan View of a key-holder constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 an enlarged View of my key-holder in horizontal section with all of the chainlocks shown in their locked positions, and

with the chains partly broken away. Fig. 3 a corresponding view showing all the chain-locks in their open positions. Fig. 4 a view of my key-holder in transverse section on the line a-b of Fig. 2.

My invention relates to an improvement in key-holders, the object being to produce a simple, compact and convenient keyholder, constructed with particular reference to the arrangement of the keys in natural groups so as to facilitate the finding of any one key.

With these ends in View, my invention consists in a key-holder having certain details of construction and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In carrying out my invention as herein shown, I employ a sheet-metal annulus 2 bent upon itself so as to be U-shaped in cross section with a rounded outer edge 3, flat opposite faces 4, and an inwardly opening groove 5 for the reception of the end-links of the key-chains 6, of which there are three. as shown, though this number may be varied according to the number of groups into which it is desired to divide the keys.

For the insertion of the end-links of the chains 6 into the groove 5, the annulus 2 is formed with six radial slots entering it from its rounded outer edge, the three slots 7 re ceiving the fixed end-links 8 of the three chains and the three slots 9 receiving the free end-links 10 of the three chains. The fixed end-links 8'of the three chains are held permanently in place by the retaining- Speciflcation of Letters Patent.

arms 11 of three sliding wire chain-locks lo- Patentod Feb. 1 8, 1 91 3.

Serial No. 720.774.

cated within the groove 5 of the annulus at equidistant points therein and frictionally held against endu'ise movement. The free end-links 10 of the said chains are removably held in place by the locking-arms 12 of the said locks as shown in Fig. 2. Each of the said locks is formed with an operating loop 13, extending radially inward so as to project into the circular space 1% of the annulus 2. The sliding movement of the locks in the direction of locking is limited by bending the ends of their arms 11 inward at a right angle to form retainingfingers 15, while the movement of the locks in the direction of unlocking is limited. as shown 'in l ig. by the engagement of one side of the .loop 13 of each lock with the adjacent face of the adjacent fixed end-link 8.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing description that by moving any sliding lock into its retracted position, the free end-link 10 of its co-acting chain 6 is released so as to permit keys to be strung upon or removed from the chain, the said free end-link 10 of which is re-attached to the annulus 2 by its insertion into the appropriate radial slot 9 therein, and the sliding of the look back into its locking po sition at. which time the locking-arm 12 of the lock shoots through the said link and fastens the same in the annulus.

In the use of my improved device, the keys will be grouped according to the fancy of the user, according to their nature, or according to their use. Thus, on one chain the owner of the ring would naturally group house keys; on another chain, otlice keys; and on the remaining chain, miscellaneous keys. Of course, the particular disposition of the keys among the three chains will be arranged by the owner to suit his own fancy, but it will be clear that my improved keyholder makes it easy for anyone to adopt a grouping of his keys which will greatly acilitate his finding any one key in a hurry. The flat opposite faces of the key-holder aiford good surfaces for the display of the owners name and address, or any other precautionary information.

I claim 1. In a key-holder, the combination with a chambered annulus, of a plurality of keychains, each connected at one end therewith, and a plurality of chain-locks housed within the chambered annulus and corresponding in number to the number of chains and each adapted to be engaged with the free end of one chain.

2. In a key-holder, the combination with a sheet-metal annulus bent. upon itself to form an inwardly opening groove, and provided with radial. slots entering it from its outer edge; of a plurality of hey-chains each hav ing one end fixed to the said annulus and its opposite end-link inserted into one of the said radial slots therein; and a plurality of sliding chain-locks located within the groove of the annulus, ,adapted in their locked positions to fasten the free ends of the chains thereto, and "formed with inwardly projecting operating means.

In a key-holder, the combination with a sheet-metal annulus bent to be Ushaped in crosssection having an inwardly opening annular groove, and formed with radial slots entering its outer edge; of a plurality of key-chains each having one end fixed to the said annulus and having the end-link at its opposite end inserted into one of the said radial slots; and a plurality of chainlocks located within the said groove and each comprising a locking-arm a retainingarm and an inwardly projecting oper loop.

4:. In a l:e v-holder, the combination with a sheet-metal annulus bent to be U-shaped in cross section to form an inwardly opening annular groove, and formed with radial slots entering its outer edge; of a plurality of key chains having their respective endlinks entered into the groove of the annulus through the radial slots therein, and a plurality of sliding chain-locks correspondingain number to the number of chains located within the groove of the annulus and each having a lockingnrin and a retaining arm respectively passing through the endlinks of the respective chains and adapted to have sliding movement for the temporary disengagement of their locking-arms from one end-link of the respective chains.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. MILLER. 

